The second season begins with tension between Kirsten and Sandy as the house is being remodeled. Kirsten urges Sandy to bring Seth home, as school is about to begin. Meanwhile, Caleb is acting paranoid and afraid as Julie talks about spending more money.
At her pool, Marissa is being checked out by the pool boy. Her and Summer complain about Seth and Ryan, while Summer talks about a guy she is dating named Zack, who she has no interest in getting close to. Back at the Cohen's, Kirsten calls Portland, where Seth is living with Luke. But her son refuses to come home. Sandy attempts to recruit Ryan's help with Seth, but he is committed to staying with Theresa and working his construction job.
Sandy arrives in Portland, but Seth will not return to a city he despises. Later that night, Marissa is shown drinking alone on the beach. She calls Ryan, but remains silent until hanging up on him. Taking the opposite approach, Summer dumps all of Seth's possessions on his bed. Her family life also a mess, Marissa is approached by Julie. Mother Nichol asks Marissa what is truly on her mind and daughter Cooper screams over and over while throwing patio furniture into the pool.
Upon leaving Portland, Sandy gets a call that the district attorney is about to bring his case against Caleb. Ryan then shows up at Luke's house. While there, he receives a call from Theresa stating that she lost the baby. The audience learns that Theresa was lying, but Ryan believes her. Together with Seth, he returns to Newport and the open arms of Sanday and Kirsten.
"The Distance" File: